Diagnostic code
Diagnostic Code 6604: COPD Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.97
- Rating range
- 10% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 4
- Body system
- Respiratory system
The VA rates COPD under diagnostic code 6604 in 38 CFR § 4.97. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 6604 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | FEV-1 of 71-80% predicted or FEV-1/FVC of 71-80% or DLCO of 66-80% predicted What raters look formild airflow limitation |
| 30% | FEV-1 of 56-70% or FEV-1/FVC of 56-70% or DLCO of 56-65% What raters look formoderate limitation |
| 60% | FEV-1 of 40-55% or FEV-1/FVC of 40-55% or DLCO of 40-55% or maximum oxygen consumption of 15-20 ml/kg/min What raters look forsevere limitation; oxygen consumption reduced |
| 100% | FEV-1 less than 40% or FEV-1/FVC less than 40% or DLCO less than 40% or max O2 consumption less than 15 ml/kg/min or cor pulmonale or right ventricular hypertrophy or pulmonary hypertension or requires outpatient oxygen therapy What raters look forvery severe; oxygen therapy; cor pulmonale |
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for COPD. The COPD condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to COPD appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 3,218 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals cases with COPD as the primary issue. The COPD condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: outcomes are coded per case from the Board's published decisions, rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, excluding dismissals. The dataset codes the condition on appeal, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe COPD appeals generally rather than DC 6604 specifically. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 6604?
Diagnostic code 6604 is the VA rating schedule entry for COPD, found in 38 CFR § 4.97. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 6604?
DC 6604 provides ratings of 10%, 30%, 60%, 100%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 6604 require?
The 100% rating for COPD requires: FEV-1 less than 40% or FEV-1/FVC less than 40% or DLCO less than 40% or max O2 consumption less than 15 ml/kg/min or cor pulmonale or right ventricular hypertrophy or pulmonary hypertension or requires outpatient oxygen therapy.